Review: A December Bride by Denise Hunter

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

What started as a whim turned into an accidental - and very public - engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season - for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?

Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy, the best friend of Layla O'Reilly's ex-fiance would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency, a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client. For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.

My Review

Wow, the chemistry and tension is great in this sweet novella! It was nice to read from both characters' perspective. Layla does have a strong/stubborn personality, and it was a nice moment when she released the hurt and blame she was harboring towards Seth. Their interactions and dialogue were fun and witty. The predicament was a little contrived, but it was easy to look beyond that since the author made it so fun. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that the beginning is kind of choppy and disjointed, and Layla's bitter thoughts became repetitive, but the story smooths out later on, and Seth's perspective was much more compelling.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: A January Bride by Deborah Raney

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie’s never met the innkeeper––but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie’s alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn’s owner––a man who's likely many years her senior––and who she’s never even met.

My Review

I completely enjoyed this sweet story! The friendship established through letters, the misunderstanding, and their "meet-cute" made this a wonderful novella. The only thing I felt was lacking was the chemistry between the main characters, but the friendship was very well depicted.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

In A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant, history repeats itself when this bride runs out of the church on her wedding day---in the same dress that had been passed down for generations and worn by her mom, grandma and great-grandmother who also ran out of their weddings. The heroine struggles to break destructive cycles of the past. Can this bride shuck expectation and discover who SHE is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she finally walks down the aisle, what dress will she be wearing?

My Review

I loved the sweet characters in this book; they seem like people I would be friends with. I didn't think the bride's reason for ditching the man she was still in love with was delved into deeply enough. Her fear seemed superficial and irrational, making me feel that the storyline was not completely believable. I also had a hard time believing the groom had never contacted her or asked her why, even though she was "the love of his life." I did enjoy the interactions of the main characters once they were talking again... and the ending was pretty fun.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: An Amish Miracle by Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, and Mary Ellis

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman
Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is?

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid
Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn't willing to request money from the community s widow fund. She s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help. Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor.

Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis
Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn't a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.

My Review

The stories are well-written and compelling. The main characters each have a flawed but understandable perspective on the trial/issue they are struggling with, but experience a miracle in the way their individual situations and attitudes resolve. I felt that the romance took more of a backseat in this collection which I really missed.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: A Bride For Keeps by Melissa Jagears

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.

Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.

Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?

My Review

While I loved the premise, the characters, and many of the situations the characters were in, the continued lack of communication made it hard for the plot to progress, and the characters repeatedly stewed over the same issues throughout. I enjoyed the author's voice and will definitely be reading her next novel!

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: A Talent For Trouble by Jen Turano

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted.

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations.

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?

My Review

I wanted to like this book, but the things that bothered me prevented me from fully enjoying it. There is plenty of action, but much of it seems contrived and ridiculous, which is also what the main character's personality was like to me. I liked the supporting characters much better so I will try the author's previous books that they are featured in.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Rebellious Heart giveaway at 'Chat With Vera'

Check out the review and giveaway of Jody Hedlund's latest books Rebellious Heart over at 'Chat with Vera'!

Another Blackmoore giveaway at "All Things Purple"

Check out All Things Purple for a sweet review and book giveaway!

Blackmoore giveaway at Literary Time Out

Check out the giveaway for Julianne Donaldson's newest book Blackmoore at Literary Time Out!

Review: Trapped by Irene Hannon

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

When librarian Laura Griffin's sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned PI James "Dev" Devlin to help. But the deeper he digs, the more he begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl's disappearance. And the closer he gets to uncovering the truth, the clearer it becomes that the situation isn't just dangerous--it's deadly.

My Review

Wow, was this a nail-biter! Literally. My poor nails are much shorter after reading this book. Intense, some action, unpredictable, and good chemistry between the leads. Loved it!

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)